Outdoors Calendar

About 200 participants competed in the Idiotarod 5K Shopping Cart Race last Sunday in the River Arts District in Asheville to raise food donations for ABCCM. For more photos and upcoming races, see the Outdoors Calendar at CITIZEN-TIMES.com/outdoors.

LAKE JAMES STATE PARK: At the base of Linville Gorge, Lake James State Park is a 6,510-acre lake with boating, fishing and swimming in season, picnic area, campground, hiking trails and ranger-led nature programs. Call office in Nebo, McDowell County, at 584-7728 or visit www.ncparks.gov for more information.

? Turkey Day Nature Hike: Meet Ranger Jamie Cameron at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 22, at Catawba River Area office for a 2-1/4-mile trek around the Fox Den Loop Trail. Wear comfortable hiking gear and bring a water bottle for this moderate.

WNC WINTER SPORTS

CATALOOCHEE SKI AREA: Ski slopes in Maggie Valley now open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with skiing on three slopes, Lower Omigosh, Rabbit Hill and Easy Way. For more information and snow report, visit www.cataloochee.com.

SUGAR MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT: Ski area in Avery County now open for skiing and snowboarding, its earliest opening date in its 43-year history. For more information, visit www.skisugar.com.

BREVARD REINDEER RUN 5K: The Center for Women/First Baptist Church will hold the race starting at 9 a.m. Dec. 1 at the Center for Women, 39 E. Jordan St., next door to the First Baptist Church, 94 Gaston St. Entry fees are $25 for ages 19-64, $30 after Nov. 26; $20 for ages 6-12; and $20 for age 65 and older, $25 after Nov. 26. Sign up at www.active.com or on race day from 7-8:45 a.m. in First Baptist Fellowship Hall. Visit brevardwomenscenter.com for more information.

GIRLS ON THE RUN FALL 5K: The Fall Festivities will start at 10 a.m. and the 5K will start at 11 a.m. Dec. 8 at UNC Asheville. Festivities include Zumba, photo booth, massage, raffles and more. Registration is $15 ($16 online) and day-of-registration is $20. Sign up by Nov. 20 to guarantee a T-shirt. To register, visit www.gotrwnc.org.

FLETCHER REINDEER RUN 5K: The Four Seasons Running Club race start at 5 p.m. Dec. 8 at Fletcher Community Park, 85 Howard Gap Road. Awards will take place at 6:30 p.m. with hot chocolate and cookies. Entry fee is $20 through Thursday, Nov. 22, then goes up to $30. Sign up at www.active.com through 11:59 p.m. Dec. 6. Visit www.fourseasonsrunningclub.com.

TOYS FOR TOTS 5K: Henderson County Parks and Recreation hosts race starting at 4 p.m. Dec. 8 at Jackson Park, 801 Glover St., to collect toys for children. Bring a toy valued at $10 in lieu of a race fee. Participants can walk or run. Register online at www.active.com at the Jackson Park office or on site on race day. Call 697-4884.

RESOLUTION RUN 5K: The Asheville Track Club hosts this 5K starting at 2 p.m. Jan. 1 in Biltmore Forest. Park at South Forest Ingles on Hendersonville Road. Finish line is behind the Town Hall. Free to Asheville Track Club members. New members can join the track club at race for $25 individual or $30 per family and run. Visit www.ashevilletrackclub.org.

ASHEVILLE MARATHON: Inaugural 26.2-mile race will be March 3, 2013 on the Biltmore Estate to benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Registration now open at www.imAthlete. com. Visit www.ashevillemarathon.com.

HIKING/WALKING

ASHEVILLE HIKING MEET-UP GROUP: Social and hiking club made up of all ages and professions. Hikes take place Saturdays and Sundays. Free. Visit www.meetup.com/ashevillehiking.

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY: The most-visited unit of the National Park Service, stretching 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains in Cherokee. Call 298-0398 for road and weather conditions or visit www.nps.gov/blri.

CAROLINA MOUNTAIN CLUB: More than 175 hikes a year. Call Stuart English at 883-2447 or visit www.carolinamtnclub.org for schedule of hikes. Hikes are free. Nonmembers should call ahead.

DIAMOND BRAND OUTDOORS: The outdoor outfitter on Hendersonville Road in Arden hosts walks, hikes and other outdoor programs throughout year on trails and in local parks. Call 209-1538 or visit www.diamondbrand.com.

N.C HIGH PEAKS TRAIL ASSOCIATION: Burnsville-based nonprofit that works to advance awareness, education, understanding and appreciation of nature, wildlife and the natural environment in the North and South Toe River basins, Ivy Creek and the North Carolina portion of the Nolichucky River in the mountains of WNC. Visit www.nchighpeaks.org.

? Bolens Creek Stroll: Meet at 1 p.m. at the Burnsville Town Square to take public transportation to the trail head. The two-mile roundtrip hike will be to the Right Water Intake along Bolens Creek to view the historic water supply for the town of Burnsville. For more information call hike leader Jake Blood at 284-6878 or visit www.nchighpeaks.org or facebook.com/ncHighPeaks.

FOOTRX RUN: Meets at 8 a.m. Saturdays at the south exit of Hendersonville Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Call Chuck Martin at 687-3476.

SWAIN COUNTY TRAIL RUNNERS: Long-run group meets 8 a.m. Saturdays at the Deep Creek Trailhead parking area in Bryson City. All runs are on trails in the Smokies or Tsali Recreation Area. Call 399-0989, 488-6769 or e-mail wdtreern@yahoo.com.

CYCLING

UCI-NORTH CAROLINA CYCLO-CROSS GRAND PRIX: Presented by Hunter Subaru, race is Dec.15-16 at Jackson Park in Hendersonville. Racing starts at 9 a.m. with Mens CX4 category and ends with Men CX2-3 at 3:05 p.m. Entry fees start at $20. Kids race free. To register and for more details, visit www.nccyclocross.com/2.html.

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Outdoors Calendar

A weekly listing of hiking, biking, paddling, and other outdoors activities in WNC.